The eagerly anticipated World Cup 2026 has commenced, yet the initial excitement has been somewhat muted by several issues, including the conspicuous sight of thousands of unoccupied seats and widespread dissatisfaction with mandatory water breaks. During South Korea's win against the Czech Republic, numerous empty red seats were clearly visible across the stadium, raising questions about attendance figures and ticket pricing.
This comes amidst ongoing debate surrounding the cost of tickets for the tournament. FIFA President Gianni Infantino had defended the organisation's dynamic pricing policy just ahead of the competition, a strategy that adjusts ticket prices based on demand and other factors. However, the visual evidence from the early matches suggests that these pricing models may not have translated into full stadiums, at least for some fixtures.
Adding to the early disquiet are the compulsory three-minute water breaks scheduled for each half of every match. These breaks are mandated irrespective of the ambient temperature or playing conditions, a policy that has been met with disapproval from some figures within the sport. USA coach Mauricio Pochettino, for instance, has publicly stated his dislike for the interruptions, arguing that they are unnecessary when conditions are favourable for play.
On the pitch, co-host Mexico kicked off their campaign with a dramatic 2-0 victory over South Africa, a game notable for its intensity and the unprecedented three red cards issued – the most in a single World Cup match since 2006. Today, the focus shifts to the other co-hosting nations, with Canada set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by the USA's encounter with Paraguay in their opening fixture.
Notably, US President Donald Trump is not expected to attend the USA's inaugural match against Paraguay. The official US delegation for the game will instead be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, as confirmed by the State Department. President Trump has previously highlighted the World Cup as a significant international event occurring during his presidency, viewing it as an opportunity to demonstrate American strength, despite a build-up marred by various diplomatic and logistical challenges, including visa complications affecting players, officials, referees, and fans.